Women's Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business

We all talk about Gender Equality, Women-in-lead, and the Boss-Lady. But how many ladies do you know of are in the corporate sphere in maximum numbers? If we look at the ratio of women in many fields, we would witness an underlying gender- disparity. In a recent report by LinkedIn, it shows only 15% of C-Suite roles are held by women in India. Surprising right? Now imagine what percentage of women would be in the mid-level or associate-level workforce, political sphere, business and all the other fields you could imagine.

The backdrop to Women Empowerment 

The early traces of women's empowerment was introduced at the UN's Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi in 1985 which defined the redistribution of social and economic powers and control of resources in favor of women. 

In India, The National Policy on Empowerment of Women adopted in 2001 states "All forms of violence against women, physical and mental, whether at domestic or societal levels, including those arising from customs, traditions or accepted practices shall be dealt with effectively to eliminate its incidence."

Women diversity and Women empowerment are not just buzzwords, they are concepts that must be implemented religiously. As per the UN, empowering women plays a crucial role in building “strong communities, achieving internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improving the quality of life for women, men, families and communities.”

The Women's Empowerment Principles, encapsulated in the mantra "Equality Means Business," embody a powerful framework that underscores the vital role of gender equality in the corporate realm. 

The UN has highlighted 7 Principles for practicing women's empowerment to combat gender inequality issues. The principles are as follows: 

1. Building Top-Tier Corporate Leadership to Promote Gender Equality

The companies must set comprehensive organizational objectives and benchmarks for fostering gender equality. The companies must involve both the internal and external stakeholders in guaranteeing that all policies consider gender implications, recognizing disparate impacts on women and men, and fostering a corporate culture that champions inclusivity and equality. The formulated policies must be gender-sensitive that carefully identify factors impacting women and men differently. 

2. Providing Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination

Equal opportunities must be given to employees irrespective of their gender. It is imperative to treat all women and men fairly at work and give equal respect and support to human rights. Strong enforcement of the law must be implemented if nondiscrimination of any form exists. Establish and implement a confidential grievance policy for incidents of discrimination, sexual harassment and gender-based violence. 

3. Ensure the Well-Being of Employee Irrespective of Gender

Companies must have respective protection protocols and ensure to provide safe working conditions and protection from exposure to hazardous materials. The decision-makers of the company must enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards any kind of violence, physical or sexual harassment. Companies should make efforts to provide health insurance or essential services, including support for domestic violence survivors, and guarantee equitable accessibility for all staff members.

4. Foster Opportunities for Women's Education, Training & Professional Growth

Organizations must allocate resources to develop comprehensive workplace policies & programs that facilitate the progression of women at every organizational tier. The companies must offer unbiased accessibility to all educational and training initiatives, spanning literacy courses, vocational training, and information technology programs. Moreover, companies must provide equal prospects for both structured and informal networking and mentorship experiences. 

5. Promote Women's Equality via Community Initiatives & Advocacy

Establish community engagement initiatives within the company that specifically empower women and girls. Encourage company executives to initiate community consultations with local leaders, both women and men, to forge robust connections and develop programs that bring benefits to all members of the community.

6. Measure & Publicly report on progress to achieve gender equality

The organizations must create yearly departmental reports on gender equality strategies and policies using established benchmarks to promote inclusion and empower women across suitable platforms and align with existing reporting obligations. Integrate the assessment and appraisal of the company's gender equality objectives into ongoing performance metrics.

Prominent Women Entrepreneurs in India Breaking Stereotypes

Some bold women entrepreneurs brimming with talent, innovative ideas and creative faculties are on their toes to encourage women empowerment by including women in the workforce and creating a women-friendly workplace. 

1. Jayanti Ramesh Chauhan Vice-chairperson of Bisleri International ltd.

Ms. Jayanti Chauhan, the vice-chairperson of the household water-packaged brand- Bisleri aims to create a welcoming and empowering environment that values and includes individuals from all genders. JRC has created a holistic environment, where “women leaders can come together, share their stories, and exchange ideas.”

 

She believes in the power of gender inclusivity to encourage women's participation in the workforce. She wants to include “more women into teams such as sales, which is traditionally male-dominated.” 

 2. Vineeta Singh Co-founder and CEO of Sugar Cosmetics

Vineeta Singh the Co-founder and CEO of Sugar Cosmetics is one of the renowned Indian entrepreneurs. Ms. Singh says she is "passionate about creating a female-friendly environment". Sugar Cosmetics values women in her team and promotes the inclusivity of women in the workforce. Ms. Singh aims to build the largest cosmetic brand in India and encourages women in the workforce. 

3. Dipali Goenka—CEO & MD, WELSPUN INDIA LTD

The lady behind WELSPUN India, Ms. Dipali Goenka firmly believes in the “Power of Female Mentorship - It is essential for women to uplift and empower each other in all walks of life”. Ms. Goenka urges women to work towards embracing women's inclusivity in the workforce and giving women equal opportunities to succeed. 

Women's empowerment holds paramount significance as it contributes to the advancement of societies and economies at large. If we duly enforce women empowerment principles in the workforce,  women can become pivotal agents of positive change, leading to stronger communities, increased innovation, and sustainable development. Let us together build a stronger nation.